I thoroughly enjoyed each and every bit of this tiny tome and would be remiss if I did not highly recommend RESCUED to those searching for Summer Reads. The range of emotions that rocket through John as he blindly battles the hardest decision of his entire life build the ultimate reader’s rollercoaster and recalling that this is a sixteen-year-old-boy, ties a knot and truly tugs the heart-strings. The fondness, understanding, patience, support and tolerance between the “brothers” is palpable. This relationship is written so well, it is as if I actually witnessed it.

The two year separation of John and Raja was torture for both boy and beast but paled in comparison to their last days together leading up to their final farewell. John’s wonder won and Raja became the newest member of the family for four rambunctious years. His mother was also struck with wonder but hers was the “in doubt” version, much different than the “filled with admiration, amazement, or awe marvel” version that burst from her son. John was beside himself with wonder and joy. In fact, he returned from a business trip bearing a baby-orangutan-in-a-barrel. His dad could dig the draw when he recognized the leading “man” as an orangutan because sometimes the adorable orange creatures would wander around his company’s plant in Indonesia.

When John casually notes the potential appeal of ape ownership while watching an old movie, he was not actually asking for a pet. Whatever the animal, it is almost always up to parents to make the decision. Maybe orangutan isn’t typical, but if you grew up watching BJ and the Bear or Every Which Way But Loose, you may see the simian sway. Every child wants a pet at some time or another.

Endangered book by eliot schrefer